Protecting Your Fives Senses as You Age: Local Business Provides Tips for Older Adults
Home Instead® shares steps to take in order to manage and minimize the effects of sensory loss
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- From hearing loss to blurred vision, aging adults often experience changes in their five senses. This sensory loss can significantly affect daily activities and pose certain risks for older adults. For example, it can be more difficult to see up close or in dim light, which can present challenges such as reading instructions on medication bottles. Older adults may also experience a diminished sense of smell, which can impact the way they taste and lead to a lack of appetite. Additionally, reduced circulation can affect the way older adults react to temperature, pain or other textures.
Furthermore, older adults may be affected emotionally and socially by loss of sight, smell, taste, hearing or touch. A Home Instead survey found that one in three living with sensory loss feel they miss out on experiences such as hobbies, trips and social events. However, family members and caregivers can be crucial in providing support that helps aging loved ones continue living a fulfilling life.
"Sensory loss can be scary and extremely isolating. In addition to confiding in loved ones, older adults can take steps to protect their senses," said Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, Ph.D., gerontologist and caregiving advocate at Home Instead, Inc. "While we can't stop the aging process, diet, exercise and stimuli all play a part in our well-being and in managing the impacts of aging."
Healthy aging is all about making positive choices for your mind and body now that result in benefits for the future. Eichenberger suggests the following tips on how older adults can protect their senses:
- Maintain a nutritious diet. When it comes to meeting nutritional needs, older adults may face challenges due to dietary restrictions and illnesses. Many foods have been linked to enhanced senses, offering benefits as you age. Foods that are rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, eggs, almonds and tomatoes, can help protect and improve vision. Consider incorporating these foods into breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Exercise your sense of smell. Our noses are often the first line of defense to detect smoke, gases or rotten food. To support a strong sense of smell, consider olfactory training – smelling four to six distinct odors each day over a period of several weeks. These might include cloves, roses, lemon or eucalyptus.
- Keep your body moving. Exercise is linked to an abundance of health benefits, like maintaining a strong heart and lungs. According to the CDC, physical activity can also improve sight by helping increase blood flow to the eyes. Exercises such as walking, water aerobics or yoga are great for adults 65 and older.
- Be mindful of volume. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, and loud volumes can make this even worse. Proactively protect hearing by avoiding loud, noisy activities or places. Turn the volume down on your headphones or speakers and take breaks or step away from loud noises.
Find doctors and specialists you trust. As you age, regular visits to your general practitioner or geriatrician become more important. These appointments can help you stay on top of your care and seek advice on managing symptoms. Referrals from loved ones or friends can be key in finding specialists, such as eye doctors and dentists, who can help detect early signs of sensory loss.
Sensory loss can create impactful challenges in an older adult's life. Help loved ones take note of signs and symptoms and take preventative steps to minimize the effects. For more information about how aging can impact senses, visit:https://www.homeinstead.com/care-resources/health-conditions/aging-senses/
ABOUT HOME INSTEAD, AN HONOR COMPANY Home Instead, Inc. and its parent company, Honor, are expanding the world's capacity to care. With the world's largest home care network and the most advanced care platform, Honor and Home Instead are revolutionizing care for older adults, their families, and Care Professionals. Home Instead, Inc. is the premier home care franchisor through its network of independently owned and operated Home Instead franchise businesses. Combined, the network has more than 100,000 Care Professionals across 13 countries, meeting the growing needs of millions of older adults and their families worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.joinhonor.com/ and https://www.homeinstead.com/
Media Contact
Dan Wieberg, Home Instead, Inc., 1 402.498.4466, [email protected]
SOURCE Home Instead, Inc.
Share this article